Move FM Global News

ROME, Italy: Matteo Salvini, Italy’s deputy prime minister and transport minister, said an earlier decision by the government’s Data Protection Authority to temporarily ban chatbot ChatGPT over privacy concerns was excessive.

After Italy’s Data Protection Authority warned of privacy violations and after it failed to verify that users were aged 13 or over, Microsoft-backed OpenAI took ChatGPT offline in Italy.

Italy, therefore, became the first Western country to take action against an artificial intelligence-based chatbot after the move by the agency, which is independent from the government.

On Instagram, Salvini, who is also the leader of the ruling coalition League party, said, “I find the decision of the Privacy Watchdog that forced #ChatGPT to prevent access from Italy disproportionate.”

The regulator’s move was “hypocritical” and that common sense was needed, as “privacy issues concern practically all online services,” he added.

Last week, OpenAI said that it is working to reduce the use of personal data in training its AI systems, such as ChatGPT, stating, “We look forward to working closely with the Italian data agency and educating them on how our systems are built and used.”

Italy’s banning AI, however, could harm the nation’s business and innovation, Salvini warned.

“Every technological revolution brings great changes, risks and opportunities. It is right to control and regulate through international cooperation between regulators and legislators, but it cannot be blocked,” he added.